5.10 2m. 3f. 140yds. 7 Declared. Bluegrass Mare Prepare Hunters S'chase of €10,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €6,000.00 2nd - €2,000.00 3rd - €1,000.00 4th - €500.00 5th - €300.00 6th - €200.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - ULTIMATE OPTIMIST is another exciting hunter chaser from David Christie's production line. He landed three point-to-points between May and December last year before impressing in a maiden hunters chase at Limerick over Christmas. That run confirmed his ability to get through testing ground. Afterwards, Christie commented that he had got strong and is an out-and-out stayer with a bit of class. The trainer has won four of the last six renewals of this race. The Flier Begley was placed in three maiden hurdles last year. He was then off for nine months before taking third in a point-to-point and could be a factor, particularly over this trip. Er Dancer was an easy winner of an Oldtown point-to-point last month. He has shown an aptitude for this track and trip before, when staying on in third (beaten a length and three quarters) in this race last year. Lord Schnitzel is another arriving on the back of a point-to-point success.
A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have not won more than one Steeplechase confined to Certified Hunters and that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a Certified Hunters Steeplechase in Ireland or in a Point-to-Point Steeplechase in Ireland between 5th October, 2019 and 12th March, 2023Weights - 11st 7lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalty - (to count from 1st January, 2020) Winner of a steeplechase 7lb extraRiders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. a? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2022/2023 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, not later than 10th March, 2023 or the horse is not qualified to start.
